Colin Epstein

"kids magazines and comics"

"There were tons of Womble toys made. The ones that found their way
across the pond to our house in Hollywood included plush toys
, little figurines, wind-ups,
a friction powered car (alas, not a faithful
reproduction of the Silver Womble), a beautiful series of marionettes by
Pelham Puppets, tote bags,
a child-sized umbrella, soap,
shampoo, bubble bath, and other goodies I
can't remember. In an odd turn of events, the
US toy company KnickerBocker (the now defunct creators of all those
Holly Hobbie dolls) licensed the Womble characters and briefly made a
small assortment of plush toys. These were much more polished than the
British equivalents. Unfortunately, we only ever found one of them,
Wellington, and letters to the company only resulted in the news that
all their stock was sold, and they wouldn't be making any more. I'd
love to know the story behind those toys."

"On a more recent trip to England, I was delighted to stumble across some
Womble refrigerator magnets in a cheesy gift store near
Piccadilly Circus."

Jennifer Lewis

"When I went to Europe (aged5) with by brother (aged 3)and my
parents (just aged in general) we 2 kids had Womble bags -
HE had orinoco and I had tobermory. The bags have since worn out and
disappeared into the ether but I'm hoping to go to London before the end of the
year and get myself some more Womble merchandise and books if possible.

"It'd be great if we could
find someone in Britain to tell me if this kind of thing still exists!"

"I've just recalled that I used to have a Wombles
board game as a kid. I
can't recall too much except that you had little Womble bags and I think it
involved making a tiny jigsaw. I wonder if it's still at my parents house.
I've still got my Wombles lamp shade in my bedroom - 9 individual
pictures arranged around the lamp!
"

"I had a Womble doll thing that talked
when I was a kid and a Great Uncle Bulgaria mug.
[The Doll] said things like "Womble up all all your rubbish".
[It] was oroonoko or someone I think... is that the right name?
[He] had a red hat that I used to wear. It was a big red felt hat.
I have pictures of me as a child trundling about with it on... and
one where I had induced my mother to wear it. ;)"

"I noticed your memorabilia page and was delighted to discover I
didn't image having a Wombles lampshade - but I don't know what
happened to it. I did notice however a couple of things I have
aren't on there. I have figurines, about 4 or 5 different
characters that were available from petrol stations, each standing
about an inch high. Badges about an inch and a half in diameter each
with a different character on them, and a vinyl place mat about four
or five inches square with Orinocco on it (they probably came in
different characters too, but he's my favourite.)
I've also seen a MacWomble squeaky toy at an antiques fair but didn't
have enough money on me to get it."

"I am a persevering wombles fan and still have my
12" Orinocco (minus hat) and 5" Madame
Cholet though one of my sisters gave away my
Uncle Bulgaria which my mom made me when
I was little from the pattern which I still
have somewhere. I recently got hold of from an antiques fair an
Uncle Bulgaria nightlight but it has no specs so
if you know of anywhere I could get some more please let me know.
Woolworths released two Wombles posters in 96
one was Orinocco on a psycadellic backround but
I'm not sure about the other one. The original posters were
just normal posters with the cartoon drawings on
them. (I also still have these.)

"The videos are still available from BBC but beware they havn't been
digitally remastered or anything so the sound goes a little fast, a
little slow at times as they were taken from the original archaec
format!!"

Black Star has several of the Womble videos available. They also have a 'Video Hunt' service and list deleted films which they will search for. They also offer free world-wide postage. Unfortunately, they only have PAL format tapes available.

FH: "They look quite nice - and expensive! I've been trying to find out if
there were figurines made back in the 70s as I recall someone telling me
they had seen one. The closest I've come is a china piggy bank of Madame
Cholet. I suspect that plates or baby sets may be next! Move over Peter
Rabbit..."

Downpace Ltd - (020) 89059199.

RW: "I just found some 2" PVC 3D keyrings on sale in Clinton Cards - they do
Orinoco, Uncle B, Stepney and Aldernay. I bought all they had - and then did the
same to another shop. I have buyers amongst the Wimbledon supporters. I also
rang the suppliers - Downpace Ltd - (020) 89059199 who said they don't do any
other characters, and did not intend to make anymore, but they do have plenty in
stock. Minimum order is £250 (each keyring is 75p with a rrp of £1.50)."

Be sure to check the Womble Lover's -
Womble News page. Shops, single
items and web sales that I learn of are often listed there first.